Finding the Magic of Christmas Chapter 10 -Life at another glance, a divergent trilogy fanfic

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Chapter 10

Life at another glance

Tobias' POV

I have walked for hours in the snow, my toes are numb, and my hands are ice cold. Yet I can't seem to bring myself to go inside. Inside where Tris and her family are. The perfect family that I swear you only see in the movies, because there is no way they are real. The perfect, kind and loving mother, the devoted and open father, the loyal brother… nothing like I grew up with, that's for sure. I still don't understand why they decided to sell this place and to my father no less. To the man that makes promises to the world to get what he wants, only to deceive them the minute he does. He has no shame, that's for sure.

That brings me to my dilemma.

No doubt my father has gone through great lengths to ensure the Prior's that Prior Valley will remain all that it is now. All while making his own plans to come in and bulldoze the place and make it just like any other Eaton property.

I know what he wants me to write in my report. It's the same thing I have written dozens and dozens of times before this place. My recommendation should be to bulldoze all of it to the ground and start from scratch. Sure I have believed that in the past with other places, but not with this place. This place seems to be booming with business in every direction. Not a place that is being successfully run by a family more than capable to keep up with the demand of it all. Definitely not a place that is out in the middle of nowhere, in the freezing weather no less and that caters to families.

Eaton properties are known for their single and extraordinary accommodations. Our customers want sexy, hot, and most of all, none of this children nonsense. But this place just screams family vacations.

Why would they sell? Why would my father want to buy this place?

My attention falls on the sight before me, proving my thoughts just right. A happy family playing. A father and his young son balling up snowballs behind a large rock. What I assume is his wife and daughter are hiding behind a wall at the closest cabin to them, doing the same. They are laughing and teasing each other. I smile when I see another boy sneaking behind the girls… They don't know that he has a hand on them until it's too late and snowballs are crashing into their backs. They scream loud, shrieking at the ice balls that break when they come into contact with them. Jumping up and down, the mother laughs as she scolds her son for being a trader. It's an entertaining scene before me. One that definitely would have never happened in any of our Eaton's properties. My heart drops knowing the disappointment so many families will have when they learn the news that the Priors have decided to sell this place. This place will be bulldozed and replaced with one huge building with several floors. A place with an indoor pool, entertainment, with the finest of foods, and minimum of clutter for its decoration. A place where technology gadgets are more than welcome and children are not so much.

I run my hand through my hair, feeling nothing but defeated as I walk back into the resort. My stomach sinks even further as I walk past so many kids that are enjoying themselves in the snow. No matter how I cut it, someone will lose.

"Come, Tobias, you must join us." Hana says, taking my hand. I admit for a woman her age, she is a forceful little thing. She just about drags me to the coat hanger and throws me my coat and gloves. I'm confused when I see all the other guests getting on their coats and hurrying out the door.

"What is this all about?" I ask, my curiosity winning.

"It's time! It's time!" I hear one of the billions of children scream out excitedly.

My eyes land on Tris buttoning up, smiling at Zeke's kids. I hear Uriah somewhere in the far distance whine about not finishing his Dauntless cake yet. That kid and his damn cake.

"Well take it with you, you big baby!" I hear Marlene finally scold him.

"Ten minutes to count down!" Andrew calls out.

"Whoever is last to the tree is a rotten egg." Natalie calls out, her kind smile replaced with a smile of a child.

We all make our way out, nearly tumbling over each other. I still have no idea what in the world is happening. No one has told me. That is until we finally stop at the huge tree that Tris and I spoke about yesterday. I remember her explaining this tradition to me, it's the lighting of the tree, the wish ornaments guests can hang, and the caroling they do…. Fuck. I scratch my head, wondering how in the world I can somehow sneak my way back inside without being noticed.

"Hey," Tris says. I didn't even notice that she snuck up on me.

"Hey," I greet back. I dig my hands into my coat pockets, feeling nothing but awkwardness.

" I didn't think you would join us." She says, speaking softly so no one else hears us.

"Well it was against my will," I admit. "Hana." I simply say, pointing in her direction when Tris looks up at me confused. She quickly smiles and nods, understanding exactly what I mean.

"Yeah, she has a way with everyone," She says, understanding.

"That she does," I agree. I watch as Tris' brother and sister in law walk around passing out star shaped thin wooden ornaments with a black marker. I smile, receiving mine. I hold up my star for Tris, silently asking her, what is this for?

"Your wish." She answers. "You write down your wish on the wooden star with the marker and then hang it on the tree in hopes it will come true for Christmas." She explains. I watch as she secretly writes down one word. She tries so hard to conceal it, not wanting others to see what it is. But she isn't fast enough for me, I see the one word that best describes all she wants for Christmas this year. "A miracle." My heart breaks into pieces knowing that the miracle must be about the fate of this resort. Her family resort. She walks through the crowd, finding the highest branch that she can reach and hangs her star. I press my lips together, glancing down at my own blank star. I write down on the star a wish of my own, a wish for the "right choice." I drop my marker into the bucket by the tree before I finally hang it up as high as I can reach.

"Glad to see you here, Four. I never thought I would see the day." Zeke says, patting my shoulder.

"Yeah, well take a picture, you'll probably never see this again," I say, honestly. I go back to my original spot, my spot next to Tris. It's funny but a part of me feels like this is where I belong. I shake off the thought, summing it up to being lost in the moment. Everyone smiles, as they begin to pass out white long candles to the adults, one by one we touch the wick to the next lit up candle circling the tree. The lights around us black out, leaving our candles as our only light.

"I want to thank all of you for coming out this year. I hope everyone made a wish this year. Natalie and I have cherished every moment of every year that we have gotten to share with each and everyone of you. Not just making long life friendships, but extending our family with yours. We hope to see each and everyone of you after this. So Merry Christmas to you all and I hope you all have a wonderful New year! Natalie?" Andrew says, he glances down at his loving wife as she returns the gentle smile. I watch as her lips begin to move, letting the softest and sweetest voice out.

"O holy night, the stars are brightly shining

It is the night of our dear Savior's birth

Long lay the world in sin and ever pining

'Til he appeared and the soul felt its worth

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn'

Fall on your knees, o hear the angels' voices"

Then all around me, voices chime in along with Natalie's. I'm taken back for a moment, as I'm amazed at the sight before me. But there is one voice that stands out the most, one voice that takes my breath away. Tris'.

"O night divine, o night when Christ was born

O night divine, o night, o night divine

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother

And in His name all oppression shall cease

Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we

With all within, let us praise His holy name

Christ is the Lord, His Name forever praise we

Noel, Noel, o night, o night divine

Noel, noel

O night, o holy night"

I stare off at the beautiful woman beside me. Perhaps I'm lost in the power of the moment, or perhaps something that has been sparked that I have been fighting to ignore, but without thinking I find myself reaching up towards Tris' face. My fingers spread across her cheek, as my thumb slowly wipes a single tear away. Tris and I both stare off at each other, lost in the bubble of just us.

"Five, Four, Three, Two, One…" I hear all around us, as I lean forward wanting nothing more than to have my lips on hers. But we are snapped back to reality too quickly as we are surrounded by the bright lights of the giant tree. I glance up, amazed at the beauty of the thing before us. My hand is still cradling Tris' face as the crowd around us begins another song.